Debra and Randy Markanich remember that Lamar McGinnis and Elsie White each greeted them during their first visits to Nativity after they moved to Asheville from
Virginia. Those greetings helped them begin to feel a connection to the congregation - a
connection that continues to grow.
The Markanichs involvement in the life of the congregation takes various forms: caring
for the church grounds with the Yard Guard team, serving during worship as ushers,
reading lessons, and working on the Altar Guild, and joining in the ministry of ABCCM
and the Veteran’s Quarters.
When asked to describe their experience at Nativity, Randy and Debra choose the
phrase ‘Love one another.’ Debra goes on to say that the values they have seen lived
out in this community of faith and the activities she has been a part of have “helped
make me a better person and have pushed me more on a journey.”
Randy shares that health challenges and personal experiences of loss have sometimes
made it difficult for him to feel comfortable in a church setting. At the same time, Randy
finds that his life experience allows him a willingness to engage with others and an
openness to deeper relationships. For example, when a student in confirmation class
requested that Randy be their mentor, he agreed even though he wasn’t sure what the
experience would be like. Randy laughingly recalls, “I’ve learned a lot more about
religion!“ He continues in a more serious tone, saying that through his time worshiping
and serving at Nativity, he “feels closer to God” than he used to.
Debra and Randy plan on making Nativity their last church “because of the people.” To
explain, Debra offers the example of her experience in the Women’s Bible Study group
and the value she finds in hearing other people’s stories. She says, “Everyone has their
own story, their own journey and even though we don’t all believe exactly the same
thing, we all accept one another. There is so much love in this church.”
At Nativity, Randy and Debra have found a welcoming community of disciples, a place
to receive the love of God and to share that love with others.
